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Movies / On DVD / On A Clear Day
On A Clear Day

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On A Clear Day (2006)

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Reviews Counted:64

Fresh:43

Rotten:21

Average Rating:6.2/10

Consensus: Another blue-collar inspirational feel-good British dramedy, On A Clear Day succeeds on the strength of lead actor Peter Mullan's performance and Gaby Dellal's competent direction.

Runtime: 1 hr 39 mins

Genre: Dramas

Synopsis: Shot on location in Glasgow and Dover, director Gaby Dellal's first feature takes off from a true story of one man's determination to swim the English Channel. The film deftly avoids the pitfalls... Shot on location in Glasgow and Dover, director Gaby Dellal's first feature takes off from a true story of one man's determination to swim the English Channel. The film deftly avoids the pitfalls of sentiment through a self-deprecating humor that recalls THE FULL MONTY in tone and theme, as well as a stunning performance from Peter Mullen (YOUNG ADAM) as protagonist Frank Redmond. After 40 years of working as a shipbuilder, the somewhat taciturn Frank has been "made redundant" and let go from his job. He finds himself utterly unmoored without the routine and trappings that have defined his existence for so long, and suffers a loss of self-respect that he is unable to talk about with his loving wife, Joan (Brenda Blethyn, PRIDE & PREJUDICE), and son, Rob (Jamie Sives). Floundering, Frank becomes obsessed with the idea of swimming the Channel, and undertakes the project with the help of Chan (Benedict Wong, DIRTY PRETTY THINGS), the owner of the local fish-and-chips shop, who becomes Frank's personal trainer. His three best mates (Billy Boyd, Sean McGinley, and Ron Cook) sign on for the ride as well, each discovering new strength in themselves along the way. But it is Frank's relationships with his family that are the most moving part of the film, as he deals with the demons that have hounded him for over 20 years and rediscovers the bonds he shares with his wife and his long-estranged son. [More]

Starring: Peter Mullan, Brenda Blethyn, Billy Boyd, Sean McGinley

Starring: Peter Mullan, Brenda Blethyn, Billy Boyd, Sean McGinley, Jamie Sives, Ron Cook, Benedict Wong, Jodhi May

Director: Gaby Dellal

Director: Gaby Dellal
Screenwriter: Alex Rose
Producer: Sarah Curtis, Dorothy Berwin, Bill Allen
Studio: Focus Features

[See More Credits]

Reviews for On A Clear Day

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

It plays a risky game, switching tone from domestic drama to political point-making to broad comedy to sticky sentiment in a matter of moments, rounding everything off with a perfect ending that will make grown men weep.

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
04/01/06
Alan Morrison
Alan Morrison
Empire Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

A pleasantly predictable film which ultimately demonstrates rather less ambition than its protagonist.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
02/09/06
Anna Smith
Anna Smith
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

As well-acted and well-made as it is it never quite manages brilliance.

Full Review Source: FilmFocus | comment Comment
09/04/05
Joe Utichi
Joe Utichi
FilmFocus

The film is extremely well cast - Peter Mullan probably has "Grumpy bastards a speciality" emblazoned at the top of his CV and he's on top form here as Frank

Full Review Source: ViewLondon | comment Comment
09/03/05
Matthew Turner
Matthew Turner
ViewLondon
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Daily Mirror [UK] | comment Comment
09/02/05
David Edwards
David Edwards
Daily Mirror [UK]

Though the story is filled with familiar strokes, sensitive direction and quality acting give it emotional depth.

Full Review Source: BBC | comment Comment
08/30/05
Matthew Leyland
Matthew Leyland
BBC
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Has a thoughtful, witty tone that makes it worth seeing even if it feels a bit simplistic.

Full Review Source: Shadows on the Wall | comment Comment
06/12/05
Rich Cline
Rich Cline
Shadows on the Wall

A satisfying 92 minutes.

Full Review Source: Film Journal International | comment Comment
03/01/07
Doris Toumarkine
Doris Toumarkine
Film Journal International

There is much warmth and reconciliation in the final act, indicative of the movie's goodheartedness.

Full Review Source: EricDSnider.com | comment Comment
07/26/06
Eric D. Snider
Eric D. Snider
EricDSnider.com

There's an audience for this sort of mush, but don't count me in the mix.

Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews | comment Comment
06/03/06
Dennis Schwartz
Dennis Schwartz
Ozus' World Movie Reviews

On a Clear Day isn’t so much a bad film as it is a thoroughly familiar and unnecessary one.

Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
06/03/06
Peter Sobczynski
Peter Sobczynski
eFilmCritic.com

One thing that sets On a Clear Day apart from other, like-minded films -- besides its spectacular Scottish location footage -- is the first-rate cast.

Full Review Source: Deseret News, Salt Lake City | comment Comment
06/02/06
Jeff Vice
Jeff Vice
Deseret News, Salt Lake City

Unlike my colleagues, I wiped my eyes instead of rolling them, and I'm hoping you will too. Worth seeing indeed.

Full Review Source: Sympatico.ca | comment Comment
05/15/06
Angela Baldassarre
Angela Baldassarre
Sympatico.ca
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Sydney Morning Herald | comment Comment
05/12/06
Sydney Morning Herald

The recycled spectacle of yet another downsized U.K. working-class type being reduced to an act of feel-good against-all-odds crowd-pleasing redemption.

Full Review Source: Toronto Star | comment Comment
05/05/06
Geoff Pevere
Geoff Pevere
Toronto Star

Flawed by moments of sitcom humour, On A Clear Day still manages to tell an engaging story about men, work and friendship.

Full Review Source: Jam! Movies | comment Comment
05/05/06
Liz Braun
Liz Braun
Jam! Movies

The wonder here, if not the redemption, is that so many toil so hard to make this saccharine stuff palatable.

Full Review Source: Globe and Mail | comment Comment
05/05/06
Rick Groen
Rick Groen
Globe and Mail

... despite its familiarity, it works, mostly on the strength of a fine performance by the Scottish actor Peter Mullan.

Full Review Source: Detroit Free Press | comment Comment
04/28/06
Terry Lawson
Terry Lawson
Detroit Free Press

Clear Day isn't terribly engaging.

Full Review Source: San Francisco Chronicle | comment Comment
04/21/06
Ruthe Stein
Ruthe Stein
San Francisco Chronicle

Fans of Mullan's more intense work will find this soft and all-too maudlin.

Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid | comment Comment
04/21/06
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Combustible Celluloid
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 >> >|
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January 31, 2006: Tackling male mid-life crisis in such a manly fashion should work. Opens in new window
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